NTEA's Fleet Advisory Council is composed of innovative and forward-thinking fleet leaders who provides perspective and guidance on Association resources for the work truck community. The Council offers insights on how the Association’s current efforts to support educational programing, vehicle optimization and design, regulatory compliance, risk management, alternative fuels, and electrification and technology applications are resonating with industry fleets.
Tony Orta (Chair)
Fleet Operations Manager
SoCalGas
Los Angeles, California
Tony Orta serves as fleet operations manager for SoCalGas, where he oversees fleet maintenance garage operations, in-house technician and facility mechanics skills enhancement training, and fuel systems and compliance teams. Before obtaining his current position, he managed the asset management (vehicle acquisitions) team for SoCalGas, and maintenance operations teams for both SCG and SDG&E.
He also has experience in alternative fuel vehicle technology, previously leading an American Gas Association contingent that directly met with, and enlisted support from, Detroit auto manufacturers (GM, Ford, FCA) to develop vehicle technology in pursuit of growth and development of CNG as a transportation fuel.
In addition to his fleet operations role, Tony is currently collaborating with SoCalGas’ Research & Development group to promote and consider hydrogen electric fuel cell vehicles for use in the SoCalGas fleet. His external professional activities include previous chairman of the NAFA Fleet Management Association Pacific Southwest Chapter, and content contributor to Automotive Fleet Magazine.
Dean Ainardi
Assistant Utilities Fleet Manager
Tacoma Public Utilities
Tacoma, Washington
Dean Ainardi has been in fleet management and logistics for over 30 years, during which he gained progressive leadership experience in municipal and federal government fleet management. He has been employed at Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) since 2013, where he is responsible for creating and executing technical specifications for all vehicles and equipment for the Power, Water and Rail Divisions. Additionally, he oversees day-to-day operations of maintenance and parts procurement sections for TPUs fleet of over 1,100 vehicles and equipment.
Before joining TPU, Dean spent over 23 years in the Air Force. Starting as a technician, he trained to be a section supervisor, followed by fleet manager. He was selected to serve in the Global Strike Command’s Headquarters Fleet Management Department prior to retiring from the military in 2013.
Scott Bucciere
Fleet Operations Manager
Davey Tree Expert Co.
Independence, Ohio
Scott Bucciere is the fleet operations manager for Davey Tree Expert Co., founded in 1880 by John Davey. It’s the largest employee-owned company in Ohio and ninth largest in the U.S. Scott has 35 years of truck sales and equipment industry experience. His current role includes multiple aspects of acquisition, maintenance and retirement of company assets. He also assists in managing company-owned service facilities.
Jamie P. Cooke
Chief Operating Officer
Department of General Services
Montgomery County, Maryland
In Jamie's current position as chief operating officer, he provides overall administration and oversight of the department's day-to-day operations with a focus on delivering timely and responsive customer service and monitoring performance. Functional areas include central administration, facilities management and fleet services. In addition, Office of the COO is responsible for the department’s strategic planning, leadership development, emergency operations, and serving as point of contact for intra- and inter-departmental communications.
Jamie previously served as division chief of fleet management services for Montgomery County, responsible for all essential vehicle services, including procurement and disposal, maintenance operations, motor pool services/parts/fuel distribution, asset management, and fleet internal business services. The operation’s scope included four central maintenance locations supporting the county’s 3,600-vehicle fleet consisting of sedans, public safety vehicles, light-duty trucks/vans, heavy-duty trucks, off-road, industrial equipment, and transit buses. Services include 33 fuel locations with CNG, E85, diesel, unleaded and electric fuel types.
He holds a master’s in transportation and business logistics from Wilmington University (New Castle, Delaware). Jamie is a certified transportation broker (awarded from Transportation Intermediaries Association) and earned the Electric Vehicle Galileo Master Certificate from European Energy Centre.
Tom Lattimore
Statewide Fleet Operations and Maintenance Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
St. Paul, Minnesota
Tom Lattimore joined Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 2011 as an automotive technician. Since then, he served in a variety of roles, working his way up to shop supervisor, followed by his current program management position.
His organization’s fleet program is responsible for complete life cycle management of Minnesota DNR’s 5,000 pieces of equipment. He oversees day-to-day operations of four regional shops throughout the state, and spec’s all heavy equipment for DNR.
Jimmy Pang
Engineering & Development Lead
Verizon Fleet Operations
Jimmy leads the Engineering & Development team for Verizon Fleet Operations, supporting and maintaining over 30,000 vehicles and mobile equipment for national operations. He provides strategic direction, engineering and analysis on green fleet initiatives, technology integration, technical support, vehicle specifications, maintainability, acquisitions, upfitting and compliance. Since joining the fleet industry, Jimmy has driven key cost saving initiatives, including engine calibrations, hybrid-systems and idle mitigation.
He started his career as an OEM technician while working toward a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (Newark, New Jersey). Since then, he has held roles in manufacturing, vehicle design, engineering and leadership — understanding what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Jimmy is currently an MBA candidate at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign County, Illinois) specializing in strategic leadership.
Kelly W. Reagan
Fleet Administrator
City of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
With over 30 years of experience, Kelly W. Reagan is fleet administrator for City of Columbus, where he oversees an annual fleet of 6,400 vehicles. With his help, City of Columbus has achieved ASE Blue Seal recognition 13 years in a row, and is the largest ASE Blue Seal public-sector facility in the U.S.
Kelly earned a bachelor’s of business in finance and economics from Hiram College (Hiram, Ohio). Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year and Leading Fleet of the Year by Government Fleet Magazine in 2016. Known as a fleet industry expert, he is an accomplished speaker and writer.
Alexis Reece, CAFM
Fleet Analyst IV
Supply Chain/Fleet Management
Ferguson Enterprises LLC
Alexis Reece has almost 20 years of experience in the fleet industry. She is currently a fleet analyst at Ferguson Enterprises, which has a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles ranging from Class 1–8 and is ranked in the top 100 of America’s Top Private Fleets traveling on average 90 million miles a year. She is responsible for ensuring company vehicles meet delivery needs of customers and branch locations, with a focus on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and trailers.
She is an active member of NTEA, Green Truck Association and NAFA, and serves on the Ford Advisory Board for medium-/heavy-duty vehicles. Alexis completed her certified automotive fleet manager certification (CAFM) in December 2019. She is an advocate for sustainability in fleet initiatives and most recently led Ferguson’s participation in California’s Hybrid and Zero-emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project in partnership with sustainability department, consulting group, and leasing management company.
Kathy Wellik
Director of Fleet Services
Iowa State University Transportation Services
Story City, Iowa
Kathy Wellik, CAFM, has 30 years of management experience — 15 of which are fleet-related. She manages a fleet of 600 vehicles, including law enforcement vehicles, sedans, vans, trucks, and unique vehicles that support specific department research. Outstanding customer service, continued learning and cost savings are the fundamental principles Kathy and her team focus on each day.
She serves as secretary/treasurer for the National NAFA Board of Directors, chair of the Virtual NAFA Chapter, past chair of the Mid-West NAFA Chapter, past officer at-large on the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators executive committee, and on multiple committees within NAFA Fleet Management Association.
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